Student Profile
Robert Hackett
Five Bonners Selected as 2025 National Bonner ...

Meet our 2025 National Bonner Summer Interns! Michael Deem Jr. from Rider University brings his expertise in film and storytelling, while Spelman College's Olivia Gray focuses on advancing educational equity. Oberlin's Joseph (JP) Liddy contributes his experience in event coordination and community building, and Centre College's Kayla Rogers brings her passion for policy advocacy and civic engagement. Together, these talented student leaders will support the Bonner Foundation's mission while gaining valuable professional experience in the nonprofit sector.

Five Bonners Selected as 2025 National Bonner Foundation Summer Interns
Alumni Profile
Robert Hackett
Spelman College Bonner Alum, Dr. Maranda C. ...

Maranda C. Ward, Ed.D., MPH, Spelman College Bonner Scholar ‘02 Alum has been awarded Campus Compact’s Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement. Dr. Ward is the assistant professor and director of the Equity Department of Clinical Research and Leadership at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Spelman College Bonner Alum, Dr. Maranda C. Ward, Awarded The Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement
Campus Profile
Robert Hackett
A Banner Year for Bonners: TCNJ Bonner Program ...

TCNJ’s Bonner Community Scholars Program launched 20 years ago, it started with just 12 Bonner Scholars — students who commit to 300 hours of community service annually in exchange for needs-based scholarships. Now, with close to 100 participants each year, the TCNJ program is one of the largest and most successful in a nationwide network of Bonner college programs.

A Banner Year for Bonners: TCNJ Bonner Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Staff Profile
Robert Hackett
From the Heart of The Bonner Foundation: Elaine ...

In celebration of Elaine Wheeler's retirement, we honor her invaluable contribution to the Bonner Foundation. Her commitment and mentorship have been instrumental in our growth as a Foundation and the Network we have today. As she embarks on her retirement, we celebrate her legacy of dedication and look forward to the path she has paved for us.

From the Heart of The Bonner Foundation: Elaine Wheeler's Retirement Celebration
Robert Hackett
Announcing the Refreshed Bonner Wiki

With over three decades sharing campus examples, guides, and documents to download, the Bonner Foundation is excited to announce a recently updated Bonner Resources Wiki.

This summer, the five National Bonner Summer Interns at the Foundation — Anu Baskar (George Mason ‘24), Camila Guayasamin (The College of New Jersey ‘24), Dominique Dore (University of Houston ‘22), Mikaela Chin (High Point University ‘24) and Selah Ndouta (Capital University ‘22) — worked with the Foundation staff to refresh the look of the wiki’s homepage and, more importantly, update campus examples and other documents.

They devoted particularly attention to the Bonner Program Management and Community-Engaged Learning sections. In addition, Mikaela and Dominique also created a short video on how to navigate this wealth of knowledge.

Announcing the Refreshed Bonner Wiki

Student Profile

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Stetson's Duguay Named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow

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Stetson's Duguay Named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow

Taylor Duguay, a junior political science and communications studies double-major at Stetson University, is the recipient of the 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award. As a Newman Civic Fellow, Duguay is one of 218 students recognized as the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

Olivia Bailey Talks About Her Communications Internship with CNN

Olivia Bailey Talks About Her Communications Internship with CNN

Olivia Bailey’s dream of becoming a reporter began with “The Funky Monkey,” the school newspaper she created and distributed during fifth grade. As a student enrolled in Emory & Henry’s mass communications department, she is a step closer to reaching her lifelong goal.

Stetson Honors Top Students and Faculty at Undergraduate Awards Ceremony

Stetson Honors Top Students and Faculty at Undergraduate Awards Ceremony

At its Undergraduate Awards and Recognition Ceremony, Stetson University announced the recipients of two of its most prestigious awards: the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards, presented to two members of the graduating class; and the John Hague Award for Distinguished Teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, given to a faculty member.

Chattanooga Student Recognized During Honors Convocation

Chattanooga Student Recognized During Honors Convocation

Student excellence in academics and service were recognized during Tusculum College’s annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 28.

Megan Buczek of Chattanooga was presented with two awards. Ms. Buczek received a Senior Honor Key Award in special education modified and comprehensive. Senior Honor Key Awards are presented to students who have earned a 3.25 grade point average or higher in their major, shown achievement and aptitude in the major and possess strong character.    

Bonner Scholar Presents at TEDx

Bonner Scholar Presents at TEDx

Stetson University will host the annual TEDx event, Friday, March 18, at 4 p.m. in Allen Hall, 508 N. Woodland Blvd., on the DeLand campus. TEDx is a subsidiary of the world-renowned TED organization which holds conferences relating to Technology, Entertainment and Design on a local scale...Probus is a religious studies major at Stetson. She is actively involved in campus life as a member of the Stetson Bonner Program, Stetson University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra and the Stetson Center for Community Engagement, to name just a few organizations. Probus’ talk will focus on leadership skills.

Bonner Student Receives Critical Language Scholarship

Bonner Student Receives Critical Language Scholarship

Jessica Gumucio '16 and Mohammed (Jake) El Sarhan '18 received Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) from the U.S. Department of State to study critical needs languages this summer. Gumucio will study Russian in Vladimir, Russia and El Sarhan will study Arabic in Madaba, Jordan.

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Tusculum Student Named Newman Civic Fellow

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Tusculum Student Named Newman Civic Fellow

Denise Coffey, a student at Tusculum College, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2015. Coffey has provided almost 500 community service hours to ASafeHarborHome, a local agency that serves victims of domestic violence and supplies them with safe homes.
The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Coffey is one of 201 people to be named a 2015 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.

Guilford Student: An Inspired Leader

Guilford Student: An Inspired Leader

Less than six years ago, José Oliva ’17 lived with his grandparents in Tiucal, a rural village in Guatemala.

His mother had moved to the U.S. to work in the textile industry when he was a baby. Few people in his hometown attended high school, and fewer still had the opportunity to go to college. He didn’t speak English.

Today, José thrives at Guilford. He served the College as the first Latino president of Community Senate during his sophomore year, and he has served the wider community by educating hundreds of high school students — immigrants and the children of immigrants — about the college application process.

New Bonner Scholars Engage in Summer Service Project

New Bonner Scholars Engage in Summer Service Project

For the ninth year in a row, rising first-year Centre College Bonner students visited Caretta, W. Va., for an annual service trip. While helping to improve living conditions in the town during their June visit, the new Bonner Scholars joined the impressive group of more than 85% of Centre students who volunteer on a regular basis.

Centre’s Bonner Program is a network of 60 students on campus (and thousands nationwide) dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving education through active community service and civic engagement. For Director of Community Service and the Bonner Program Matthew Klooster, the first-year summer experience is also an important opportunity for student growth.

Bonner Scholar Encourages Identity-Building through Storytelling in Brazil

Bonner Scholar Encourages Identity-Building through Storytelling in Brazil

“I was pre-med since age 12,” says Jhewel Fernandez, ’14.

As a Bonner Scholar, Fernandez met with her University of Richmond advisor and, like all students on a pre-med track, was encouraged to choose a clinic or public health-related service site for the program’s community-service commitment.

But Fernandez’s advisor gave her one additional piece of advice that changed her life. After recognizing her interest in social sciences and experience working with children, he suggested she try two service sites — a clinic and a school. Within weeks, she knew the clinic environment wasn’t for her.

Clean Peace: Student Creates Jobs for Youths in Ethiopia

Clean Peace: Student Creates Jobs for Youths in Ethiopia

With a $10,000 grant and an idea Telavive Taye '17 returned to her childhood home of Hawassa, Ethiopia, to create an enterprise she hoped would promote peace and prosperity.
The recipient of a Projects for Peace grant from the Davis United World Scholars Program, Taye established a car wash managed completely by and for youth, with the goal of engaging them in a productive business in a growing city with high rates of unemployment. In fact, official estimates place the country's rate of youth unemployment at more than 50 percent.

 

 

Bonner Scholar Explores Climate Change in the South Pacific

Bonner Scholar Explores Climate Change in the South Pacific

Imagine awakening just before dawn to the sounds of roosters crowing and waves breaking on the shore just outside your cottage. Coffee mug in hand, you stroll out your front door onto a pristine, sandy beach to watch a magnificent South Pacific sunrise.

A dream vacation? Not exactly. For Emily Onufer, '17, such was the start of a typical day this past summer when she interned with the environmental nongovernment organization Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

 

 

Summer Student Work: LGBTQ Nonprofit Intern Jason DeFelice '17

Summer Student Work: LGBTQ Nonprofit Intern Jason DeFelice '17

Here’s what it’s like to spend the summer as an intern for Outright Lewiston/Auburn, an organization that creates safe and affirming environments for area youths, 14 to 21, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning.

Oberlin Shansi Awards In-Asia Study Grants

Oberlin Shansi Awards In-Asia Study Grants

This winter term, three first-years and one second-year student will have the opportunity to pursue independent study and creative projects as recipients of the Oberlin Shansi In-Asia Grant.

The award provides $1,500 to support individual initiatives east Asia, southeast Asia, or south Asia, including internships with non-governmental organizations, art explorations, environmental research, or other projects during winter term or summer. The award is open to first- through third-year students.

 

 

 

Jodie Geddes '14: "Without Fear"

Jodie Geddes '14: "Without Fear"

Jodie Geddes, a native of Jamaica, spoke on behalf of the Class of 2014 at Commencement on May 17.

Jodie came to Guilford from in Brooklyn, N.Y, and she graduates with a degree in community and justice studies and a minor in education. She feels called to create change in her community; as a Bonner Scholar she found herself while working with refugees and immigrants in the Triad. She will be entering graduate school at Eastern Mennonite University in order to pursue a degree in conflict transformation.

 

 

 

Xzavier Killings '16: Getting Better Every Day

Xzavier Killings '16: Getting Better Every Day

Xzavier Killings '16 doesn't settle for anything less than his best effort, and he constantly strives to contribute more to the Davidson community. The senior biology major, track and field captain and 2015 homecoming king from Roebuck, S.C. recently broke the school record in the long jump–just one of the many ways he will leave a legacy on campus long after commencement. 
In addition to his passion for athletics, community service is a cornerstone of Killings' life on campus. As a Bonner Scholar, he performs 280 hours of community service per year, averaging 10 hours per week on top of already demanding academic and athletic commitments. He served as Davidson's congressional representative for the national Bonner Scholars program, attending a national conference and engineering new civic engagement programs at Davidson.

Economics Major Using Data to Combat Poverty and Suffering

Economics Major Using Data to Combat Poverty and Suffering

Ancito Etienne ’17 is spending the summer gathering data, crunching numbers, and making the case for public investment in hunger relief and conflict resolution around the world.

He has a summer internship with Mercy Corps, an international aid organization that helps people whose lives have been impacted by global conflict. Mercy Corps’ Policy and Advocacy team will use Ancito’s research to advocate for reform in food aid and peacebuildng activities.

 

 

Hunger Games Entertains For A Good Cause

Hunger Games Entertains For A Good Cause

A lot of preparation went into the Berea Hunger Games last month which was the first of what will be an annual fundraising event dedicated towards raising funds for Syrian refugee relief. According to Matt Walker, senior Bonner Scholar who has been working on the event since last year, “We tried to incorporate fundraising and awareness-raising into events that we know that a lot of people can get interested in.” Walker added, “We are trying to reach out to that crowd that might not think they are really invested in social justice issues and show them that they can be.” Walker and his colleagues were pleased to raise over $500 from the entire event.

 

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Ben Randazzo Honored for Community Service

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Ben Randazzo Honored for Community Service

North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities committed to community engagement, has recognized Ben Randazzo ’16 for his outstanding leadership and service.

Ben has received the 2015 Community Impact Award, an honor given to one student leader at each school in the network.

As a Bonner Scholar, Ben has been a leader and an advocate for service. In 2014 he served as lead coordinator for the National Bonner Congress held at Guilford College, a role that led to a summer position at the Bonner Foundation in Princeton, N.J. In the absence of a staff coordinator, he has recently taken on even more responsibility for the Guilford Bonner program.

 

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Bennett '16 Wins Prestigious Truman Scholarship, Public Policy Fellowship

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Bennett '16 Wins Prestigious Truman Scholarship, Public Policy Fellowship

Rashaun Bennett '16 has received two nationally competitive fellowships that will further support his aspirations for a career in public policy. Selected from more than 600 applicants, he is among 58 winners of a Harry S. Truman Scholarship and is the fifth Davidson student to receive the award in the past eight years. He joins Richmond Blake (2008), Darrell Lamont Scott (2009), Alexandra Francis (2011) and Haley Hardie (2014).